Aquarium Dude Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Just a few questions? What is the difference between a surface skimmer and a protein skimmer? What does a surface skimmer do? Could you use a surface skimmer on a freshwater tank? Thanks Guys. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Asking the difference between a surface skimmer and a protein skimmer is like asking what the difference is between apples and country music. They're not really even related. A surface skimmer is an intake that sucks off the top of the water. Blows air through the water making a foam of proteins, water and air and then collects the foam removing it from the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tee-em Posted January 14, 2007 Report Share Posted January 14, 2007 Surface skimmer takes the crud off the surface of the water... as lots of crud ends up on the surface it is an efficient way of removing and keeping the surface clean. An overflow weir can effectively be a surface skimmer. it always removes the top part of the water column. Protein skimmer extracts organic material out of the water by creating lots of water bubbles and the organic material sticks the water bubbles. The top bubbles have more organics attached to it and is collected by a cup and then thrown away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 oh, i thought they might even be the same thing :lol: :lol: The filter I have brought has a surface skimmer attachment or something, should I use it for freshwater tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Hi AD, we use our Surface Skimmers on our Frontosa tank... freshwater is fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 If you want to. Just means it takes water from the top instead of the bottom. Handy in larger tanks if you get a build up of crud on the top. You'll work out what you prefer by using it. Weither the water has salt in it or not is irrelevant. Protein skimmers are completely different, their only similarity is the word 'skimmer', and they certainly don't come free with a cannister filter :lol: :lol: rather pricey for a good one, and no they aren't useful on freshwater setups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 The filters we have takes water from bottom intake while surface skimmer is attached. The skimmer is attachable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquarium Dude Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Thanks guys :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quack Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 is it possable to put a proten skimmer on a FW? and if so would it help reduce the nitrates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Oh and take note: If the water level is below the skimmer intake on the Aqua Ones, it will suck air in. But with skimmer attached, it sucks from both points, the bottom intake and skimmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 is it possable to put a proten skimmer on a FW? Yes but it wont do anything and if so would it help reduce the nitrates? No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 What does reduce nitrates in freshwater aquaria are water changes and/or plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 is it possable to put a proten skimmer on a FW? and if so would it help reduce the nitrates? Sure you can use them on freshwater tanks. you cant use any protein skimmer as it has to be designed for freshwater. they are expensive. They will reduce nutrients thus reducing nitrates. They are no good for planted tanks as they will remove all the co2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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